Tens of thousands of colorfully dressed partiers will once again lead St. Pete Pride’s annual parade. Lara Cerri/tbt* (2010)

Pot stirs things up

Free shot? Check. Clever marketing? Check. Before you put on your rainbow best to march down St. Pete's Central Avenue, stop by Ybor City's The Honey Pot and whisper the magic words. Show up and mention "the Gay Agenda" at the door of 1507 E Seventh Avenue and receive a free shot upon entry. Sexy male dancers are promised to provide entertainment at the saucy, Pushing the Gay Agenda Pre-Pride Party. After your free shot, sidle up to the bar for $1 drinks between 10 p.m. and 11 p.m. Friday.

Get Inn the swing

Preparing to party down in St. Pete and need a place to crash? Try and snag one of the last few rooms left at the Hampton Inn at 1200 34th St. N and marvel at Pride, corporate style. Friday afternoon guests will be treated to a wine and hors d'oeuvres manager's reception in the lobby from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday afternoon, registered guests can cool off after the parade at the Annual Pool Party replete with club music, free food and free alcohol. Or they can make it steamier in the Hampton Inn's 26-man (hotel's word, not ours) hot tub. (727) 322-0770.

Have a good Alibi

If you like to be up at ungodly hours for no particular reason, head over to Georgie's Alibi at 7 a.m. Saturday for breakfast. DJs from Top 40 station Hot 101.5 will set up shop in the parking lot at 3100 Third Ave. N. to spin records and kick the pre-promenade party off right. Full liquor service begins at 8 a.m. Later Saturday night, return to Georgie's at 8 p.m. for the Pride Super Show starring porn star Lucas Knight and fabulous queens Stephanie Shippae, Amy Demilo, Alexis Mateo, and Tiffany McCray. georgiesalibi.com

What's up, G?

DJ Kid Madonny of Miami sets off the Loud and Proud Pride After Party at G.Bar at 1401 E Seventh Ave. in Ybor City Saturday night. Early birds can capitalize on $1 drinks from 8 to 10 p.m. For music fans, there will be limited CD giveaways of disco icon Sylvester's new greatest hits CD and Kelly Rowland's latest Talk a Good Game. facebook.com/GbarTPA.

Go up another Level

Not tired of partying? Head back to Ybor City Sunday night for the inaugural gay night at Level III nightclub at 1611 E Seventh Ave. Dubbed Juicy Sundays, the party has no cover charge and offers free drinks from 10 p.m. to 11 p.m. level3ybor.com.

St. Pete Pride

Pride Carnivale Street Festival and Promenade

On Saturday, St. Petersburg will put on one of the biggest gay pride parades in the country, drawing about 80,000 or so in previous years. And this year's parade is touting perhaps the highest-ranking official in the event's 11-year history, Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn, who will be cruising around in a convertible. Also participating will be St. Petersburg City Council members Jeff Danner and Steve Kornell, along with Hillsborough County Commissioner Kevin Beckner and several other Pinellas County officials. There will be more than 100 floats decked out in rainbow colors, performers and entertainers. The parade begins at Georgie's Alibi (3100 Third Ave. N), moves to Central Avenue and runs east to about 21st Street. This year includes a stop by the Faces of HIV mobile art exhibit, which depicts the lives of Florida residents living with HIV and AIDS through portraits, video interviews and journal writing. And don't miss the ROTC (that would be the Righteously Outrageous Twirling Corps). Afterward at the street festival, nearly 200 vendors from across the state will line Central Avenue between 21st and 28th streets. It's all free, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (727) 279-5428.

Pride Carnivale 27-82 Concert

St. Pete Pride's hottest concert event is anchored by electronic pop outfit Uh Huh Her, featuring Leisha Hailey of The L Word. The concert is 7:30 p.m. Friday at the State Theatre, 687 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. For details, see Page 36.